Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-02-03
WIN. p. CRAIGHILL.
KANAWHA CITY.
Prominent GENTLEMAN GIVES REASONS FOR A
CHANGE.

Editor star.
| am very much in favor of changing the
name of our city and am glad to see the
object brought forward in your paper.
Tie change ought certainly TO be made du-
ring this session of the Legislature.
Our present name is such a common cause
of trouble, delay and often of real loss, that
/ il Is unnecessary even to discuss this part
of the question. Every day, almost our
mail. express matter, freight and baggage
goes wrong,-either to Charlestown, Jetfer-
son county, or to Charleston, South Carroll
ma. or to some of the other numerous
Charlestons or Charlestowns around the
country.
1t has been suggested that Charlestown
change and let us keep Charleston, but 1t
appears that Charlestown is much the older
place. and that there are some strong rea-
sons why il should retain the old name.
Moreover, there is no probability, whatever,
of Charlestown ever being changed.
Outside of this, even if Charlestown
should change, it will undoubtedly be very
much TO our advantage to give up the name
of Charleston and adopt kanawha City.
Leaving out of consideration the trouble
we are sure to have, all the time, with
Charlcstons in other States, through mails,
freight. baggage &c, the name Is not, and
never will be. at all distinctive, while Ka-
nawha is eminently So While very few
people comparatively, outside the State,
know anything about Charleston, almost
every one in the United States has heard OF
Kanawha coal and Kanawha salt, and al
most every one that has ever studied geoS-
raphv. knows where the Great kanawha
river IS Whenever we are away from
home and want to give people an idea of
our location we mention "Kanawha." 10
saw YOU are from Charleston, West Virgin
ia" is apt. even with well-iniormed people,
either to describe nothing at all, or else To-
cate YOU I'm the town where John Brown
was hung"
Fortunately there is every reason why we
should adopt Kanawha City. 1t Is the
county seat Of Kanawha county, the prln-
cipal town on the Great Kanawha river and
the largest and most important place in the
Great Kanawha Valley.
This is a good time too, to make the change
Just as we are coming out as the Capital OF
West Virginia.
1t may be said, in short, that the change
will save an endless and increasing amount
of vexation and loss, give us beautiful,
aboriginal and distinctive name and mate
rally advertise and identify the place.
Some who favor a change, seem to prefer
"Kanawha" alone, but it strikes me that
this is so much the name of the whole re-
gion-the river, valley and this part of the
State generally-that Kanawha City would
be better. There is Kansas City, Virginia
City, Jefferson City, Washington City and
New York City, so why not kanawha City?
Very Respectfully,
A. NJ. SCOTT.
Since putting the foregoing in type we
see by the papers that the result of the pub
lie meeting in Charleston to consider the
change Of name of that place was
against a change-SOO against, and only ,
for The writer of the above letter one OF
the two. Great Scott They emphasize
the fact then and there that Charleston
wouldn't smell as sweet by any other name.
An Old Story.-Look at human being
when under the influence of that terrible
torture. rheumatism. Trivial symptoms
were neglected until the disease became es-
tablished. whereas all the long suffering
could have been prevented by the prompt
use Of Salvation OIL costing only % cents
bottle at all druggists.
The United States Senators 50 far chosen,